Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 142 Frustrated_1

Chapter 142: Chapter 142 Frustrated_1

The provincial exam came to an end swiftly, and Zhou Shuren was very composed while Ming Qing and Shu Mo were obviously anxious. They skipped breakfast to check the results early in the morning.

After having breakfast, Zhou Shuren strolled over leisurely.

Lady Li was concerned about her grandson and, seeing Zhulan not in a hurry, asked, "Madam, aren’t you worried about the results?"

Zhulan couldn’t really say that she was confident in Zhou Shuren, so she could only reply, "Worrying is useless. The results will be what they will be, and we’ll know when the news comes. It’s better to wait calmly."

Lady Li moved her mouth, unable to reach such detachment.

Zhou Shuren and the others returned soon after, and Zhulan, seeing the grim look on Shu Mo’s face contrasting starkly with the joy on Ming Qing’s, had a sense of what happened.

Without a greeting, Shu Mo headed back to his own quarters, while Ming Qing awkwardly said, "Grand-aunt, please don’t mind it, Grandfather Shu Mo feels upset."

Zhulan had mixed feelings about her two clansmen, appreciating Ming Qing’s understanding of manners and finding Shu Mo lacking. "You can relax now. There’s food left in the pot for you, go and eat!" she urged.

Ming Qing felt even more embarrassed, "Thank you, Grand-aunt."

After Ming Qing left, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren returned to the main room before she asked, "How did you fare in the exam?"

Zhou Shuren was choked up, having thought he had the first place almost for sure, but it didn’t materialize, "Second place."

Zhulan knew Zhou Shuren was very confident, and it was rare to see him feeling so blocked and depressed. She couldn’t help but pinch Zhou Shuren’s face, "Second place is not an easy feat. You see, you’re a modern person, educated in the modern way. Even if you can memorize and understand well, your thinking is still a bit out of sync with ancient people. I think you’ve done very well already."

Zhou Shuren felt a bit better upon hearing this, but didn’t show it on his face, "How about some love and encouragement, a kiss from you?"

Zhulan knew right then that Zhou Shuren was perfectly fine; she even suspected that his previous words were deliberately said for her to hear.

Zhou Shuren watched earnestly. He really wasn’t pretending; he truly felt choked up. It seemed he still hadn’t completely integrated into the ancient era!

Zhulan’s heart softened, Zhou Shuren’s efforts were also for her, for their home. She couldn’t help at all but, lowering her head under Zhou Shuren’s gaze, she kissed the corner of his mouth. She felt a bit shy at first, but seeing the usually astute Zhou Shuren stupefied, she felt quite a sense of achievement.

Seizing the moment while Zhou Shuren was dazed, she quickly turned around and left.

Zhou Shuren hadn’t really expected a kiss and, surprised that it actually happened, he couldn’t help but touch the corner of his mouth, feeling both happy and regretful, chastising himself for a wasted opportunity. He should’ve reciprocated cleanly, but he missed the chance, and now Zhulan might not acknowledge it!

At dinner, Lady Li arrived in high spirits. Having found out who ranked first, Zhulan said with a smile, "This is a happy occasion, we should make more dishes. Look at how deep the connection is between our household head, who ranked second, and Wu Ming. Let’s all come together for a meal to properly celebrate."

This was a chance to build relationships, and she wouldn’t miss the opportunity.

Lady Li, understanding that the invitation was genuine, hesitated at first. But then she thought, with her grandson having no support, the Zhou family folks were good people, and in the future, they could be of help. Decisively washing her hands, she said, "Then I thank you, Madam. I’ll go call my grandson over."

Zhulan continued, "It’s getting late. There’s no need for you to cook at home. Call everyone over. I haven’t had many people to talk to since coming to Pingzhou, and you’re the only one. The children at home have no friends either, so let’s all eat together and enjoy some lively company."

Lady Li, who had experienced all walks of life through labor and toil, was adept at discerning intentions. Understanding the Zhou family’s desire to establish ties because of her grandson, she was naturally pleased, "I’ll follow Madam’s wishes and call everyone."

Zhulan smiled and nodded, watching as Lady Li walked away, reflecting on how things had changed. Now that Lady Li’s grandson had ranked first in the Scholar exams, there was a newfound confidence in her speech. But this was quite normal, human nature!

Zhulan had bought three pounds of spare ribs, three pounds of pork belly, two carp, a wild rabbit, two blocks of tofu, and had even been lucky enough to get some chives, a rare green. Though slightly expensive—twenty coins for half a pound—Zhulan, longing for chive and egg dumplings, had bought all five bunches at once. The old farmer didn’t have to go to the restaurant to sell them. She also brought back some dried mushrooms.

Weighing her options for the menu, Zhulan decided on braised spare ribs, sauerkraut fish, braised rabbit, stir-fried pork slices with scallions, tofu and cabbage soup, and scrambled eggs with chives—a lineup of six dishes.

As for whether Shu Mo would feel comfortable with the celebration, Zhulan didn’t concern herself. After all, they couldn’t hold back their celebration just because he was feeling uncomfortable!

Lady Li arrived back quickly with the children. The four from the Wu family consisted of three boys and one girl. The youngest girl, Xue Han, was the same age as theirs. The eldest, fifteen-year-old Wu Ming, followed by Wu Yong at twelve, Wu Ting at ten, and eight-year-old Wu Ning.

All children in the Wu family’s grandson generation had names with the "mouth" radical.

Upon meeting the children, Zhulan noted the three boys had average looks, not particularly remarkable, while the little girl, although thin and slightly shy, had a lovely smile. This was a sweet girl. Wu Ning stayed in the back courtyard, while the three boys went to the front yard.

The youngest was already ten, practically a little adult.

As for the boys’ meeting gifts, Zhulan decided without waiting for the Wu children to arrive, discussing with Zhou Shuren that brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were most appropriate. These items had been purchased in bulk specifically for Pingzhou for gifting purposes. They had the best set worth ten silver taels, two sets worth five taels each, and five sets worth two taels each, costing a total of thirty taels.

The sets given to the Wu children were the ones worth Two silver taels each, already a significant gift.

For Wu Ning, Zhulan had a purse containing ten coins, "This is our first meeting, and I don’t know what you like. Here, play with this purse."

Wu Ning didn’t dare to reach out her hand and looked at her grandmother for guidance. Lady Li, aware that there would be a meeting gift, nodded. Only then did Wu Ning accept it with both hands, "Thank you, Grandmother Zhou."

Zhulan replied, "Well, my little girl is the same age as you. I hope you can get along. You are one month older than Xue Han. Xue Han, take your elder sister to the side room to play."

Xue Han obeyed her mother’s words and stepped forward to take Wu Ning’s hand, "I’ve heard you can read too. Let’s go practice calligraphy."

Yushuang and Ming Teng quickly followed them out.